The trail returns to Chief Logan State Park every fall and for one week recreating the early 18th century period when Pioneers and Settlers struggled with nature - and each other - for survival. Local schools bring area children to Chief Logan State Park to experience the trail first hand and find out what life was like for their ancestors.
In addition to the pioneer and Indian camps, guides take visitors along the Shawnee Trail where an Indian attack is recreated several times per day. Following the excitement, the public is invited to visit the camps and learn about frontier living from reenactors.
This year, the Shawnee Trail got off to its traditional start - the first day was nearly rained out, admitted Charlie Mounts.
"It seems that we get rain a lot on the first day every year," Mounts admitted, saying the weather didn't seem to bother school kids much.
"We had 200 kids yesterday even in the rain and we had about twice that many today," June Bug Gore said. Gore and Mounts took a break from setting up camp to sit around and talk about outdoors crafts, pioneer living and the many friends they had made over the years, some of whom had passed away in recent years. Mounts, Gore and others recalled the many enjoyable years they spent reenacting with their friends the late Ron Moxley and Ruby Suter, who are still missed by many at the Trail. Mounts hopes more people would get interested in becoming reenactors themselves. "We need new blood," he explained.
This year's Shawnee Trail saw some new faces in the fold along with the familiar.
Young Josh McCallister was having a great time with his first Shawnee Trail.
"This is my first year as a reenactor and I got to lead two groups today," McCallister said, explaining that he got involved with the Shawnee Trail out of a love for history.
"I got a hold of Junebug and that was how I got started," he added.
Mingo County's Doug Pearce was back, along with many handcrafted items for sale at his suttler's tent. Bladesmith Dave Maxey took some time out at the nearby cabin where he and Mary Jo Martin, Cathy Fields and Susan Jackson spoke about traditionally forged metal ware and the popularity of pattern welded "Damascus" steel.
Maxey pointed out that while pattern welded blades are very popular with both reenactors and knife collectors because of it it's mottled appearance and cutting ability that it would really have been fairly anachronistic in the frontier era of the 18th century as it fell out of popularity during the Viking era when standard monosteel became more available. Twisted steel Damascus barrels for shotguns began being made in the late 19th century and in the 20th century metalsmiths began twisting bars of low carbon and high carbon steel together and folding them to recreate Damascus steel patterns.
Reenactors often swap and trade amongst each other to put together their "kit" or reenactment gear. Clarence Craigo showed up with a new muzzleloading rifle he had made, and Gore began circling him in preparation for a possible swap. Soon, another reenactor showed up with a new, double bitted hand axe.
"We are doing this to preserve our history, not make money," Charlie Mounts said.
"You don't need anything to join, other than time and interest. Young and old alike are welcome to become a part of the Shawnee Trail.
Many reenactors who are a part of the Shawnee Trail get so involved with the activity they attend other events and rendezvous throughout the year.
Clarence Craigo told The Logan Banner that the trail will continue through Sunday with the traditional night trail on Friday.
"People should bring old fashioned candle-lanterns," Charlie Mounts said.
Post a Comment
